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Deleted member 43972

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title says it...
I want a bigger mill. When I have a project come up, I hate being hindered somehow by not having the machinery capable enough to build it.
Recently I had to build some new legs for a stove. I had to go borrow a friends lathe to cut 6 tpi cause mine only goes to 8. Now, that's the lathe, I like my lathe. I think it's a good size for me. That one off chance I need to cut a thread coarser than my lathe can do, doesn't make me want a bigger lathe. However, the umpteen times I've struggled with the rigity and power of my mini mill has me stifled. I want a bigger one...

This brings me to my topic, what do the mini mills sell for used? I have no idea what to list it for to get a fair price to put toards a bigger one, but also not be out to lunch on price.
I'll give a decent break down.

I converted it into a belt drive with a locking pin to loosen the draw bar. I'd include the brass hammer/wrench I made.
home made power cross feed that works half decent.
I'll include the igaging dro.
I'd include the collets that came with it and some end mills and the various tools.

What would you folks pay for this? What's a fair price?

I had been looking at some First knee mills, Hartford mills, there's a Kent for a good price. Last two are turret mills. All around the 1500-1800 range.

Active Member

I sold a similar sized LMS mill on Craigslist when I moved up to a larger mill. You simply don't see a lot of small mills for sale so I received way more inquires than I expected. Mine sold within a couple days to the first person who came to see it. What it's value is depends on the age and condition obviously so it could be anywhere from 30-80% of the cost of a similar new one. I'd clean it up really good, take a couple pics and search the web for what others similar models/condition have sold for on ebay etc. Start a littler high on the price. Folks are going to make you an offer for less no matter what your price, so leave room to "make them a deal" and still get a fair price. Keep any tooling or accessories you will be able to use with your next mill.

H-M Supporter - Silver Member

Shawn, you may not like what I'm about to say but I'm only looking at this deal from the eyes of a buyer who is familiar with the current prices of these mills (and their lower price when they go on sale), a buyer is not going to pay you the same price as the new on sale price ,all the extras on yours are to tantalize the potential buyer and hopefully push them to buy now rather than wait for the sale to come about.
You know Princess auto sells them 4 times a year for $899.99,busy bee selles slightly higher at $999.99, you should be able to get $600 to $650 without any problem,if you are happy with $650, then ask for $750 or best reasonable offer.
That's what I would do if I were you.
Best of luck.

Active User

Shawn, I sold a Grizzly8689 mini mill last year it had all the same type mods (belt drive, igaging dro, x power feed, ect.) I sold it to cheap I think--sold it to the first caller and had people wanting to give me more if I would sell it to them---but I had told the first guy I would hold it until he looked at it. Sold it for $450. If I remember right, I bought it on sale for $589. Here is a picture of it.

Active User

Shawn, I sold a Grizzly8689 mini mill last year it had all the same type mods (belt drive, igaging dro, x power feed, ect.) I sold it to cheap I think--sold it to the first caller and had people wanting to give me more if I would sell it to them---but I had told the first guy I would hold it until he looked at it. Sold it for $450. If I remember right, I bought it on sale for $589. Here is a picture of it.

Deleted member 43972

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Shawn, I sold a Grizzly8689 mini mill last year it had all the same type mods (belt drive, igaging dro, x power feed, ect.) I sold it to cheap I think--sold it to the first caller and had people wanting to give me more if I would sell it to them---but I had told the first guy I would hold it until he looked at it. Sold it for $450. If I remember right, I bought it on sale for $589. Here is a picture of it.

Deleted member 43972

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I have tentatively sold the mill for $850. He is picking it up Friday.
I, on the other hand have my eye on a First LC-60a mill. However, information is scarce. Made in 1981. 220v electrics, which is critical. Still don't know what the spindle taper is, tho...

It's a column mill, which isn't ideal, but I'm sure it I'll do everything I'll ever ask of it.
I offered $1450 and he accepted. Gonna be the biggest piece of equipment I've ever moved. My lathe is heavy, but this is a whole different ball park.

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So, right now, I like two, both are fine with $1450. Both have pros and cons, it would be a whole day adventure to get the comet, where the first is only an hour and a half away. That variable speed comet is nice over bent changing... guhh, Thoughts on each mill are appreciated.

Ted A

My opinion is that the Comet mill is greatly superior to the First mill for several reasons. The Comet has a knee that will raise and lower the table and maintain accurate alignment as it likely has either dovetail or box ways for the knee whereas the First with the round column will likely not maintain alignment when moved. Also, I can't tell for sure in the photos, but the First mill does not appear to have the nod feature and may not have the ability to extend the ram in and out in the Y axis. I really can't tell for sure if the head even has the ability to tilt.
Just my two cents.

Active User

A torrent mill can also expand the working area over a fixed head machine. I may be able to adjust to not having a knee, but not the lack of a turrent... everyone has different tastes though.
If the comet does not nod, it's not a deal killer to me, mass is king with these machines. If it has a 2hp motor, awesome. Take the plunge for the comet. I drove 3 hours 1 way to get my mill, never regretted it.

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I think I agree, guys. That column seemed weird to me. I don't see rigidity. The lack of a vise means I will have to come up with more money to get one, or wait till Christmas. But I like that it has a dro, at least on two axis. I find, however, I mainly used the z axis dro on my mini mill the most, but maybe I can set up a second dro like igaging, or a caliper style on the quill.

Deleted member 43972

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Well this kills me. I had set everything up with the comet mill when I asked for physical dimensions... It's a big mill!

from base to top of motor: 90"
Front to back of machine: 64"
Handle to Handle on table: 66"
Back of Ram to Front of head: 5'

Sooooo. That doesn't actually fit in my garage. It will literally take up half the width. I will have no room to stand in front of it or walk by. Not to mention I'd have to tear down a shelf, move my welding bottles, and move the grinders to another location.
I may have to pass on it and go with the First with its column... I mean. I'm not doing production jobs or anything that requires accuracy down to the ten thousands, or thousands for that matter. It's just hobby... How bad could it be? .....

Ted A

Don't kid yourself. It can be pretty bad. The problem isn't necessarily with the machine's ability to produce an accurate part, it's more about how much functionality it has and how easy it is to use. If that head doesn't have some means to keep itself in alignment with the table each time the head is raised or lowered on that round column, I think you will become very frustrated. Since that mill doesn't have a knee, all vertical adjustment has to be done by raising and lowering the head. Just think of how many operations you may be wanting to do that will require raising and lowering the head. Many times, even changing tooling will require changing the distance between the table and the spindle. Also, sooner or later you will have a need to tilt or nod the head as well, which it doesn't appear that the First mill will do. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just hate to see you buy something you may quickly be unsatisfied with. Take your time and get what you want. You've mentioned a couple of times about the distance you'd have to travel. I drove eight hours to get my lathe which I didn't particularly enjoy, but after I got the lathe home, I forgot all about the drive and I've never regretted doing it.
O.K., I'll quit blathering now.

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Well, let's discuss this... Cause the reality is, the turret and knee mills don't fit in my shop. That's just not a reality I can deny. I didn't investigate their physical dimensions prior to setting my heart on something. I honestly overlooked it.
IF I get this First with its culumn, and I switch from a mill to a drill and raise the head, it will likely twist. So, the worst case is each time I move I will have to recenter and zero everything. So then I get myself some good edge finder's and a wigler set.
The collar around that column seems big enough that it shouldn't go out of tram...
I know the nodding and tilting can be handy, but if a need ever arises I can get a tilting vise...
What else?

Edit: the Fist does tilt, doesn't nod. So, that's half way there. There appears to be a good amount of Y travel available too.

Active User

Tilt and nod are not a big deal. You are correct that you can get a tilt vise, or other arrangements when you need that feature. I have tilt on my mills and have use it very seldom. I have never need the ability to nod the head. Sure, I wouldn't reject a machine because it had the nod feature, but I would not give that feature any credit in a machine consideration.

I feel your pain on getting a machine that fits in the garage. Are you sure there is no way to squeeze a knee mill in?

The Cinci TM is a great machine. The one shown is probably a 1A or a 1B. I don't see any table feeds or a quill feed. Also it looks like it uses the monoset collets. I think the other ones you are considering would be more appropriate.